How Do I move on after cataract surgery?

[lorac0813]

Hello everyone, I am very much regretting getting cataract surgery done and am concerned what my vision will be like for the rest of my life. I am waking up with anxiety attacks in the middle of the night ever since getting this done, and it's ALL I can think about. I know it's early days yet (got this done in April) and know that I would have had to get it done irregardless in a few years (early onset and getting worse) - but still. I'm only 52! Why did no one bother to inform me about the side effects? i.e. dry irritated days, edge glare, trouble focusing my eyes on anything for more than a few seconds, and light sensitivity. It's like wearing a really irritating pair of contact lenses every day, except that you can't take the lenses out to get some relief! Will my eyes ever feel "normal" again? Some help, please, or suggestions about how I can move on....I just don't know what to do and I panic every day I wake up and realize I don't have my own lenses anymore. Thanks.

[lorac0813]

Hi JodieJ, thanks so much for your emails and for your advice! I hope I'm not writing this email twice, I had replied to you but I wasn't logged in so I don't think it went through.

I called my surgeon's office today and INSISTED on an appointment, and I have one for tomorrow already! So I will let you know how that goes. I will let him know the horrible problems I am having with dry eyes, as well.

Thanks for your advice about monovision. I will try that a little later down the road. I am finding work a bit difficult right now because I need reading glasses all the time, whereas before, now and then I could take a break from the glasses. Mind you I'm just using cheap readers from Wal-Mart so maybe that makes a difference.

I am glad your cataract surgery went so well! My vision problems weren't as severe as yours but mind you I didn't want to wait until they got so bad - that was one of the reasons I had the surgery in the first place. And you're right, at least I won't have to worry about cataracts in the future!

JodieJ, thanks so much for responding to my emails, and for your advice. It's nice to know that someone cares! Although my problems haven't gone away, at least I'm taking some action and who knows, maybe in time they will go away, or maybe they are fixable in some other way. You have given me hope!

[telya]

Ok, I was kind of ok with getting my eyes both done for distance but after hearing Lorac
I am getting a bit worried.  I wanted great distance vision and good night vision and the left eye with a cataract is driving me crazy it is so cloudy.
But now I am thinking should I not have it done at all or have it set for blended vision instead?
I had the right dominant eye done for distance last Wednesday and have my one week check tomorrow.  I don't know what to ask for.
I noticed today that my vision which was pretty good the day after surgery, like 20/25 even with the pupil still somewhat dialated, now is a little bit blurrier but I can see the computer better so it has changed somewhat.  Why would that be since it's supposed to be set for distance?
I'm getting worried.  I had not heard of all these problems and am getting kind of scared.  The world of color is back however and I am grateful for that.
I can see down the road ok but the speed signs take getting a little closer to focus than I think they did yesterday but I noticed I could see pretty well as it was getting darker before I came home.  I am grateful and just praying I make the right choice for the other eye and that I don't have many side effects.  Any thoughts?
Thank you.

[telya]

Oh, one other thing.   I have read that one of the most important drops after surgery is the
Acular.  I have been very good about putting in the drops, all of them but they say they won't give me any more of the Acular after a week's worth and I have read that some take them for at least 2 weeks.  Should I try to get more?
Also, I have heard that the Pred Forte can be slightly dangerous in causing pressure in the eye, etc.  Should I be worried about being on that for 4 weeks?
Thank you again.
ALso, taking Zymar antibiotic drops.

[JodieJ]

It's probably best to follow your doctor's instructions with the Acular and Pred Forte.  I was on farirly high doses of Pred Forte (6+ drops daily) for a number of weeks following retinal surgery due to severe inflammation from misplaced sutures (done by a resident).  My eye pressure stayed low, but it was monitored.  I was told that more than 3 months on Pred Forte may cause cataract development (obviously not a concern for you.)  

[lorac0813]

Hi telya, from my own personal experience, if I had to do it again, I would have gone the monovision route (one eye corrected for distance, one eye corrected for close). I mean, it's wonderful to drive and shop and walk around without glasses, but I need reading glasses for everything else - reading, computer work, even filing my nails! I think the most annoying thing is having to fumble for your readers in order to look at a label on a store shelf. However, that being said, it's a personal preference and I know just by reading the posts on this site that most people getting cataract surgery opt for the distance vision. On a personal note, many of my friends who have undergone PRK or LASIK have been corrected for distance, and they couldn't be happier. Just think really hard about your decision and make sure it's the right one for YOU.

Can't help you where the drops are concerned, I'm in Canada and my drops have different names than yours. Good luck with your second surgery!

[lorac0813]

Hi JodieJ, I just thought that I'd let you know how my appt with the surgeon went yesterday. He checked my eye very thoroughly and said there doesn't appear to be a problem. He did tell me to come back if my problems haven't resolved in a month or so. So I will do that. Unfortunately he couldn't recommend much for the dry eyes other than what I am already doing. Thanks again for all your advice and help, I hope to stay in touch with you via this forum!